Food and fertility
A healthy, balanced diet is important when you're trying to conceive. Find out the best foods to eat when trying for a baby, and make sure you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Meet other mums!
In your Birth Club, you can meet other mums and mums-to-be whose due date, or baby's birth date, is the same as yours. It's the perfect place to share advice, support and friendship with others who know what you're going through, because they are too!

Don’t tell anyone, but my house is a mess. My father arrives from the States tomorrow, which is why I spent extra money to send my baby and toddler to nursery today, so I can tidy the flat. Instead, here is what I have accomplished: Made coffee. Replenished coffee. Read an article online. Bought an audiobook. Made myself a very fattening lunch. Listened to my audiobook while eating that lunch. Replenished coffee.

Oh! I did hang up the washing. Does that count?

Here is what I will say when my husband phones: “I’ve been snowed under with work stuff, so there may be some tidying still to do when you get home.” He’s a nice guy, by the way. I don’t have to lie to him. Most likely, I will race around 30 minutes before he arrives so that my little white lie has some veracity.

I tell other white lies. I chuck all the random, dirty clothes into my bedroom when friends pop around. Clean my baby’s face with a baby wipe instead of wash him if pressed for time. Serve readymeals to my kids, but tell people that they normally receive fresh stuff.

Oh no. I’m a terrible mother.

I might as well rub the kids in dirt and feed them cake for breakfast, for all the clean and nutritious stuff happening in my house.

I shouldn’t concern myself with keeping up appearances. None of my friends are “yummy mummy” types. My husband actually thinks I should take more breaks. And, my family doesn’t care if I cook everything from scratch. Who am I trying to impress?

Myself. I want that vision of pristine family life. I can’t have it. Who can? I think people who say they do all those things, either lie (me) or they don’t have jobs or they sacrifice other things to do them.

I want time to play with my kids. I think my toddler, who is disabled, deserves more than a home-cooked meal, she deserves my time. And, my baby too. And, my husband.

And, I want time to myself too. I deserve six coffees a day, if I want them. I work very hard – even if it doesn’t sound like it here. If parents don’t take a break, I can’t imagine how any of us would survive without a nervous breakdown.

So, a few white lies? Okay, by me. Plus, I think there is something delicious about a harmless white lie. Especially when you get away with it. Being a mother can sometimes feel puritanical. It is a relief to be a bit naughty.

Recent posts

A quick vaccum and or sweeping of the floor often makes the appearance of a clean room. I don’t think Dad will care that much he respects the fact that you are a working Mom. As long as you push it to the side or run around the house with a basket and toss it in. This is a fun game that Ieuan can help with if you need to do just before walking out the door he will think it’s funny to run, grab and drop. I try to have the dishwasher run at night, quick wash the counter and even tidy up as Ieuan plays on the floor and Dad slips into a deep sleep on the couch, lol. It will be okay and no it doesn’t make you a bad Mom you are awesome!

Special Offers from Our Partners

Hot Topic

Are you as bonkers about baby names as we are? We love finding out what our members are naming their little ones. There’s some interesting choices this month – how about Oceana for a girl, or Enzo for a boy? My personal favourite has to be the beautiful Elspeth. A classic girls’ name! See all… Read more »

This internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.